Stability of the determination of earth rotation parameters (ERP) from VLBI

The observations of theIRIS network are used to study the stability of the determination ofERP fromVLBI. It is concluded that the uncertainties in the initial values ofERP, the errors of other parameters and analyst noise are at the same level as the formal errors in the determination ofERP. The geometric effect on the determination ofERP is important and gives rise to systematic errors. The geometric effect on polar motion is greate than onUT1, and much greater for the continental network. The stability of the determination ofERP fromVLBI can be improved either by creating new stations at reasonable locations in a network or by creating new networks. At last a comparison is provided between the determinations ofERP from theIRIS andTEMPO networks.     

The North American datum of 1983: Project methodology and execution

A new adjustment of the geodetic control networks in North America has been completed, resulting in a new continental datum—the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). The establishment ofNAD 83 was the result of an international project involving the National Geodetic Survey of the United States, the Geodetic Survey of Canada, and the Danish Geodetic Institute (responsible for surveying in Greenland). The geodetic data in Mexico and Central America were collected by the Inter American Geodetic Survey and validated by the Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topographic Center. The fundamental task ofNAD 83 was a simultaneous least squares adjustment involving 266,436 stations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. The networks in Greenland, Hawaii, and the Caribbean islands were connected to the datum through Doppler satellite and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations. The computations were performed with respect to the ellipsoid of the Geodetic Reference System of 1980. The ellipsoid is positioned in such a way as to be geocentric, and its axes are oriented by the Bureau International de l'Heure Terrestrial System of 1984. The mathematical model for theNAD readjustment was the height-controlled three-dimensional system. The least squares adjustment involved 1,785,772 observations and 928,735 unknowns. The formation and solution of the normal equations were carried out according to the Helmert block method. [Authors' note:This article is a condensation of the final report of the NAD 83 project. The full report (Schwarz,1989) contains a more complete discussion of all the topics.]     

GPS inferred geocentric reference frame for satellite positioning and navigation

Accurate geocentric three dimensional positioning is of great importance for various geodetic and oceanographic applications. While relative positioning accuracy of a few centimeters has become a reality using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), the uncertainty in the offset of the adopted coordinate system origin from the geocenter is still believed to be of the order of one meter. Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is capable of determining this offset to better than10 cm, though, because of the limited number of satellites, this requires a long arc of data. The Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements provide a powerful alternative for an accurate determination of this origin offset in relatively short period of time. Two strategies are discussed, the first utilizes the precise relative positions predetermined byVLBI, where as the second establishes a reference frame by holding only one of the tracking sites longitude fixed. Covariance analysis studies indicate that geocentric positioning to an accuracy of a few centimeters can be achieved with just one day of preciseGPS pseudorange and carrier phase data.     

First direct geodetic link between Europe,Africa and South America with a multi station VLBI array

The first geodetic experiment tying Europe, Africa and South-America was realized in July 1985 by Very Long Baseline Interferometry with a network of 5 radiotelescopes. TheVLBI technique and data analysis are presented, with special emphasis on the ionosphere modeling because of its importance in this particular experiment. Comparisons of the results with other geodetic information confirm the achievement of decimetric accuracy.     

Variance-covariance estimation of GPS Networks

Summary It is quite easy to estimate the variance-covariance (VCV) matrix for single session surveys or local networks, but difficult where these local networks are combined together to form a regional network. Our main aim is to develop an appropriate VCV model to combine all the different types of networks, either global, regional or local. By careful estimation and combination of the individual VCVs of the local networks, we can form a unique VCV for local, regional and global networks. Different techniques are used to derive appropriate models for the variancecovariance components of the Global Positioning System (GPS) networks. The VCV models were estimated using homogeneous and heterogeneous data. The variance-covariance components are empirically derived using (a) the covariance of the observations of homogeneous data, (b) a combination of the covariance of the observationsP ^–1 and the covariance of the signal componentsC _ss (for either homogeneous and/or heterogeneous data), (c) only the variances are used to determine the variancecovariance, their covariances being zeros. We compare the solutions of the VCV developed for homogeneous and/or heterogeneous data with other developed VCVs. It was observed that the derived VCV model for the combined homogeneous and/or heterogeneous data of case (b) gives the best estimates in all cases.     

High-frequency parasitic modes of superconducting gravimeters

The superconducting gravimeter (SG) has a long-period instrumental noise called the parasitic mode at periods around 100 s, whose precise mechanism has not yet been identified. In this paper, another instrumental noise is detected at much higher frequencies by analyzing the high-rate gravity channel of two SGs in Japan. This is also a parasitic oscillation, characterized by frequencies on the order of 1 Hz and very high Q values. Detailed spectra indicate that the noise actually consists of two modes with small frequency separations. Based on a simple theory on the rotational motions of the superconducting sphere in the gravity sensor, the observed modes are tentatively identified as rotational oscillations of the sphere about two orthogonal axes in the horizontal plane. Interactions between the parasitic modes are investigated using the spectra acquired on an earthquake, to conclude that the low-frequency parasitic mode is likely to be a rotational motion of the sphere about the vertical axis.     

A demonstration of 1–2 parts in 107 accuracy using GPS

By interferometric analysis ofGPS phase observations made at Owens Valley, Mojave, and Mammoth Lakes, California, we determined the coordinate components of the71–245–313 km triangle of baselines connecting these sites. A separate determination was made on each of four days, April 1–4, 1985. The satellite ephemerides used in these determinations had been derived from observations on other baselines. Therms scatters of the four daily determinations of baseline vector components about their respective means ranged from a minimum of6 mm for the north component of the71-km baseline to a maximum of34 mm for the vertical component of the245-km baseline. To test accuracy, we compared the mean of ourGPS determinations of the245-km baseline between Owens Valley and Mojave with independent determinations by others using very-long-baseline interferometry(VLBI) and satellite laser ranging(SLR). TheGPS-VLBI difference was within 2 parts in10 ⁷ for every vector component. TheGPS-SLR difference was within6 parts in10 ⁸ in the horizontal coordinates, but83 mm in height.     

Stochastic estimation of tropospheric path delays in global positioning system geodetic measurements

Water vapor radiometric (WVR) and surface meteorological (SM) measurements taken during three Global Positioning System (GPS) geodetic experiments are used to calculate process noise levels for random walk and first-order Gauss-Markov temporal models of tropospheric path delays. Entire wet and combined wet and dry zenith delays at each network site then are estimated simultaneously with the geodetic parameters without prior calibration. The path delays and corresponding baseline estimates are compared to those obtained with calibrated data and stochastic residual delays. In this manner, the marginal utility of a priori tropospheric calibration is assessed given the ability to estimate the path delays directly using only theGPS data. Estimation of total zenith path delays with appropriate random walk or Gauss-Markov models yields baseline repeatabilities of a few parts in 10⁸. This level of geodetic precision, and accuracy as suggested by analyses on collocated baselines estimated independently by very long baseline interferometry, is comparable to or better than that obtained after path delay calibration usingWVR and/orSM measurements. Results suggest thatGPS data alone have sufficient strength to resolve centimeter-level zenith path delay fluctuations over periods of a few minutes.     

区域卫星导航系统硬件延迟解算

从区域卫星导航系统的实际情况出发,针对我国星座和地面站分布的特点,提出了区别于GPS的硬件延迟解算策略。首次利用实测数据分析论证了该解算策略,根据解算结果对卫星的TGD参数出厂标定值和接收机IFB参数进行修正。修正之前电离层14参模型解算内符合精度只有50%,修正之后达到70%。     

Estimation of chlorophyll-<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> concentration using an artificial neural network (ANN)-based algorithm with oceansat-I OCM data

An artificial neural network (ANN) based chlorophyll-a algorithm was developed to estimate chlorophyll-a concentration using OCEANSAT-I Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) satellite-data. A multi-layer perceptron (MLP) type neural network was trained using simulated reflectances (~60,000 spectra) with known chlorophyll-a concentration, corresponding to the first five spectral bands of OCM. The correlation coefficient(r ²) andRMSE for the log transformed training data was found to be 0.99 and 0.07, respectively. The performance of the developed ANN-based algorithm was tested with the global SeaWiFS Bio-optical Algorithm Mini Workshop (SeaBAM) data (~919 spectra), 0.86 and 0.13 were observed asr ² andRMSE for the test data set. The algorithm was further validated with thein-situ bio-optical data collected in the northeastern Arabian Sea (~215 spectra), ther ² andRMSE were observed as 0.87 and 0.12 for this regional data set. Chlorophyll-a images were generated by applying the weight and bias matrices obtained during the training, on the normalized water leaving radiances (nL ^W) obtained from the OCM data after atmospheric correction. The chlorophyll-a image generated using ANN based algorithm and global Ocean Chlorophyll-4 (OC4) algorithm was compared. Chlorophyll-a estimated using both the algorithms showed a good correlation for the open ocean regions. However, in the coastal waters the ANN algorithm estimated relatively smaller concentrations, when compared to OC4 estimated chlorophyll-a.     

Retracking considerations in spaceborne GNSS-R altimetry

The European Space Agency Passive Reflectometry and Interferometry System In-orbit Demonstrator (IoD) aims to perform mesoscale altimetric observations by measuring the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) opportunity signals reflected over the sea surface. Altimetry based on GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R) is significantly affected by satellite motion, since it requires relatively long integration times to reduce noise. We present the impact of the satellite motion on the GNSS-R observables and the need to retrack the waveforms. By using a detailed GNSS-R space mission simulator, the change of delay difference between the direct and the reflected signals during the incoherent averaging of the waveform has been investigated. Their effects on the waveform shape and the altimetric performance are presented comparing the aligned and non-aligned waveforms. Results show that the performance of spaceborne GNSS-R altimeter is seriously degraded without a proper alignment of the waveform samples.     

Nonlinear least-squares method via an isomorphic geometrical setup

The resolution of a nonlinear parametric adjustment model is addressed through an isomorphic geometrical setup with tensor structure and notation, represented by a u-dimensional “model surface” embedded in a flat n-dimensional “observational space”. Then observations correspond to the observational-space coordinates of the pointQ, theu initial parameters correspond to the model-surface coordinates of the “initial” pointP, and theu adjusted parameters correspond to the model-surface coordinates of the “least-squares” point . The least-squares criterion results in a minimum-distance property implying that the vector Q must be orthogonal to the model surface. The geometrical setup leads to the solution of modified normal equations, characterized by a positive-definite matrix. The latter contains second-order and, optionally, thirdorder partial derivatives of the observables with respect to the parameters. This approach significantly shortens the convergence process as compared to the standard (linearized) method.     

W0: an estimate in the Finnish Height Datum N60, epoch 1993.4, from twenty-five GPS points of the Baltic Sea Level Project

Based upon a data set of 25 points of the Baltic Sea Level Project, second campaign 1993.4, which are close to mareographic stations, described by (1) GPS derived Cartesian coordinates in the World Geodetic Reference System 1984 and (2) orthometric heights in the Finnish Height Datum N60, epoch 1993.4, we have computed the primary geodetic parameter W ₀(1993.4) for the epoch 1993.4 according to the following model. The Cartesian coordinates of the GPS stations have been converted into spheroidal coordinates. The gravity potential as the additive decomposition of the gravitational potential and the centrifugal potential has been computed for any GPS station in spheroidal coordinates, namely for a global spheroidal model of the gravitational potential field. For a global set of spheroidal harmonic coefficients a transformation of spherical harmonic coefficients into spheroidal harmonic coefficients has been implemented and applied to the global spherical model OSU 91A up to degree/order 360/360. The gravity potential with respect to a global spheroidal model of degree/order 360/360 has been finally transformed by means of the orthometric heights of the GPS stations with respect to the Finnish Height Datum N60, epoch 1993.4, in terms of the spheroidal “free-air” potential reduction in order to produce the spheroidal W ₀(1993.4) value. As a mean of those 25 W ₀(1993.4) data as well as a root mean square error estimation we computed W ₀(1993.4)=(6 263 685.58 ± 0.36) kgal × m. Finally a comparison of different W ₀ data with respect to a spherical harmonic global model and spheroidal harmonic global model of Somigliana-Pizetti type (level ellipsoid as a reference, degree/order 2/0) according to The Geodesist's Handbook 1992 has been made. Received: 7 November 1996 / Accepted: 27 March 1997     

一种基于遗传算法和BP神经网络的对流层延迟改正模型

对流层延迟是影响全球卫星导航系统定位精度的主要因素之一。针对全球气象数据建立的对流层延迟改正模型区域精度较低这一问题,文中基于遗传算法和BP神经网络技术,在EGNOS模型基础上建立一个高精度的区域融合模型(GA-BPEGNOS模型)。选取北美洲2010—2014年41个观测站点,以国际GNSS服务中心的对流层产品作为真值,分析比较EGNOS模型和融合模型的对流层天顶延迟。研究表明,EGNOS模型的均方根误差为80.38mm,融合模型的均方根误差为34.44 mm。与EGNOS模型相比,融合模型的精度提高约57%,取得满意效果。     

Digital astro-geodetic camera system for the measurement of the deflections of the vertical: tests and results

This study introduces the new results of a novel low-cost digital zenith camera system operated in Turkey that uses astronomical and geodetic instrumentation. Currently, it is possible to determine deflections of the vertical (DoV) components by using a vast amount of information gathered from geo-referenced star images, tilt measurements, and Global Navigation Satellite System technology. This new design of an astro-geodetic camera system is used for calculating DoV components with 12 independent solutions on a test station in Istanbul, and additional observations were performed to investigate the external accuracy of the system on a test network. A specific leveling method is developed to align system toward the zenithal direction. The final results of the observations on a test station located in Istanbul indicate that the accuracy of the system is about ±0.19 arc-seconds in latitude and ±0.28 arc-seconds in longitude determination. The system has been further tested on a network with 4 control points that have averagely 20?km baselines. At the test network, the root mean square of the average value of the vertical deflections is calculated as ±0.36 arc-seconds. Furthermore, DoV components are compared with the values that are calculated using global geopotential models.     

On a four-dimensional integrated geodesy

In contrast to continuous global considerations of time dependent boundary value problems an attempt is made to define4D-linear observation equations in the framework of integrated geodesy for discrete, more or less regional and local applications (deformation analysis) where time variations in position and in the gravity field have to be considered. The derivation is a strict analogue and extension of the3D integrated approach. In addition the construction of time dependent covariance functions is discussed, which are necessary to solve for unknown displacements and changes in the gravity potential in the generalized least squares collocation model.     

Probability distribution of eigenspectra and eigendirections of a twodimensional,symmetric rank two random tensor

Let there be given a twodimensional symmetric rank two tensor of random type (examples:strain, stress) which is either directly observed or indirectly estimated from observations by an adjustment procedure. Under the assumption of normalityof tensor components we compute the joint probability density functionas well as the marginal probability density functionsof its eigenspectra (eigenvalues) and eigendirections (orientation parameters). Due to the nonlinearity of the relation between eigenspectra-eigendirections and the random tensor components, via the inverse nonlinear error propagationbiases and aliases of their first and centralized second moments (mean value, variance-covariance) are expressed in terms of Jacobianand Hessianmatrices. The joint probability density function and the first and second moments thus form the fundamental of hypothesis testing and qualify control of eigenspectra (eigenvalues, principal components) and eigendirections (orientation parameters, eigenvectors, principial direction) of a twodimensional, symmetric rank two random tensor.     

Regional geopotential model improvement for the Iranian geoid determination

Spherical harmonic expansions of the geopotential are frequently used for modelling the earth’s gravity field. Degree and order of recently available models go up to 360, corresponding to a resolution of about50 km. Thus, the high degree potential coefficients can be verified nowadays even by locally distributed sets of terrestrial gravity anomalies. These verifications are important when combining the short wavelength model impact, e.g. for regional geoid determinations by means of collocation solutions. A method based on integral formulae is presented, enabling the improvement of geopotential models with respect to non-global distributed gravity anomalies. To illustrate the foregoing, geoid computations are carried out for the area of Iran, introducing theGPM2 geopotential model in combination with available regional gravity data. The accuracy of the geoid determination is estimated from a comparison with Doppler and levelling data to ±1.4m.     

Comparison of individual and combined zenith tropospheric delay estimations during CONT08 campaign

CONT campaigns are 2-week campaigns of continuous VLBI observations. The IERS working group on combination at the observation level uses these campaigns to study such combinations. In this work, combinations of DORIS, GPS, SLR, and VLBI technique measurements are studied during CONT08. We present different results concerning the use of common zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) during the combination. We compare the ZTD obtained separately using each individual technique data processing, the combined ZTD, and the ZTD derived from a meteorological model. This resulted in a high level of consistency between each of these ZTD at a sub-centimeter level, a consistency which especially depends on the number of observations per estimated ZTD and the humidity level in the troposphere. We noted that GPS provides the main information about the combined ZTD, the other techniques providing complementary information when a lack of GPS observations occurs.     

Measuring deformations using SAR interferometry and GPS observables with geodetic accuracy: Application to Tokyo,Japan

This paper presents new methodology for correcting interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) deformation maps using GPS observables and products. The methodology presents a sequential procedure for correcting the errors presented in InSAR deformation maps such as troposphere delay, ionosphere delay and baseline error. The main target of this research is to measure land deformations with geodetic accuracy using only one L-band interferogram with the aid of GPS observables and products. The proposed methodology was tested on Tokyo bay area which has been affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The results were verified against deformations detected by GPS stations and geodetic triangulation network showing a standard deviation of 5.6 and 10.5 mm, respectively.